U.S. patent application number 15/244652 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for automatic parameter value generation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Red Hat, Inc.. Invention is credited to Clayton P. Coleman, Daniel McPherson, Benjamin M. Parees.
Application Number | 20180060592 15/244652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61242915 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180060592 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McPherson; Daniel ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
AUTOMATIC PARAMETER VALUE GENERATION
Abstract
Automatic parameter value generation is disclosed. It is
determined that a parameter value generation trigger associated
with a parameter has occurred. A parameter value in accordance with
a format of the parameter value is obtained. At least one location
associated with a first component to which the parameter value is
to be communicated is determined. The parameter value is
communicated to the at least one location, and a parameter value
refresh policy associated with the first component is
determined.
Inventors: |
McPherson; Daniel; (Raleigh,
NC) ; Parees; Benjamin M.; (Durham, NC) ;
Coleman; Clayton P.; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Red Hat, Inc. |
Raleigh |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61242915 |
Appl. No.: |
15/244652 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/107 20130101;
G06F 21/45 20130101; H04L 63/20 20130101; G06F 21/604 20130101;
H04L 63/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/60 20060101
G06F021/60; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08; G06F 21/62 20060101
G06F021/62; G06F 21/45 20060101 G06F021/45 |
Claims
1. A method of automatic parameter value generation, comprising:
determining, by a computing device comprising a processor device,
that a parameter value generation trigger associated with a
parameter has occurred; obtaining a parameter value in accordance
with a format of the parameter value; determining at least one
location associated with a first component to which the parameter
value is to be communicated; communicating the parameter value to
the at least one location; and determining a parameter value
refresh policy associated with the first component.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the parameter
value generation trigger associated with the parameter has occurred
comprises: receiving a request to generate the parameter value.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving the request to generate
the parameter value comprises receiving, from the first component,
the request to generate the parameter value.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the parameter
value generation trigger associated with the parameter has occurred
comprises: accessing configuration information; determining that
the configuration information identifies a time interval; and
determining that the time interval has elapsed since a previous
parameter value of the parameter was generated.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining the format
of the parameter value by accessing configuration information that
identifies the format of the parameter value; and wherein obtaining
the parameter value in accordance with the format of the parameter
value comprises generating the parameter value in accordance with
the format of the parameter value.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the format identifies a parameter
value length and a parameter value syntax, and wherein generating
the parameter value in accordance with the format comprises:
generating the parameter value to have the parameter value length;
and generating the parameter value to comply with the parameter
value syntax.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the parameter value syntax
identifies a parameter value numeric portion having a parameter
value numeric portion length and a parameter value alphabetic
portion having a parameter value alphabetic portion length, and
wherein generating the parameter value to comply with the parameter
value syntax further comprises generating one of a random number
and a pseudo-random number having the parameter value numeric
portion length and generating one of a random alphabetic string and
a pseudo-random alphabetic string having the parameter value
alphabetic portion length, and generating the parameter value based
on the one of the random number and the pseudo-random number and
the one of the random alphabetic string and the pseudo-random
alphabetic string.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the at least one
location associated with the first component to which the parameter
value is to be communicated further comprises: accessing
configuration information that identifies the at least one
location.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein accessing configuration
information that identifies the at least one location further
comprises accessing configuration information that identifies the
at least one location and a second location, and wherein
communicating the parameter value to the at least one location
further comprises communicating the parameter value to the at least
one location and the second location.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the at least one
location associated with the first component to which the parameter
value is to be communicated further comprises determining a
plurality of locations associated with a plurality of corresponding
components, the plurality of corresponding components being
components of a same distributed system; and wherein communicating
the parameter value to the at least one location further comprises
communicating the parameter value to the plurality of
locations.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the parameter value
refresh policy associated with the first component comprises
accessing configuration information that indicates the first
component is to be restarted, and further comprising: causing the
first component to restart.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the parameter value
refresh policy associated with the first component comprises
accessing configuration information that indicates the first
component and a second component are to be restarted, and further
comprising: causing the first component to restart; and causing the
second component to restart.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the configuration information
further identifies a restart order that indicates the first
component is to be restarted prior to the second component, and,
wherein causing the first component to restart and causing the
second component to restart further comprises causing the first
component to restart prior to causing the second component to
restart based on the restart order.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining the parameter value in
accordance with the format of the parameter value comprises:
requesting the parameter value from a parameter value generating
component; and receiving the parameter value.
15. A computing device for automatic parameter value generation,
comprising: a memory; a processor device coupled to the memory to:
determine that a parameter value generation trigger associated with
a parameter has occurred; obtain a parameter value in accordance
with a format of the parameter value; determine at least one
location associated with a first component to which the parameter
value is to be communicated; communicate the parameter value to the
at least one location; and determine a parameter value refresh
policy associated with the first component.
16. The computing device of claim 15 wherein to determine the
parameter value refresh policy associated with the first component
the processor device is further to access configuration information
that indicates the first component is to be restarted, and wherein
the processor device is further to cause the first component to
restart.
17. The computing device of claim 15 wherein to determine the
parameter value refresh policy associated with the first component
the processor device is further to access configuration information
that indicates the first component and a second component are to be
restarted, and wherein the processor device is further to: cause
the first component to restart; and cause the second component to
restart.
18. The computing device of claim 17 wherein the configuration
information further identifies a restart order that indicates the
first component is to be restarted prior to the second component,
and, wherein to cause the first component to restart and cause the
second component to restart the processor is further to cause the
first component to restart prior to cause the second component to
restart based on the restart order.
19. A computer program product for automatic parameter value
generation, the computer program product stored on a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium and including instructions
configured to cause a processor device to: determine that a
parameter value generation trigger associated with a parameter has
occurred; obtain a parameter value in accordance with a format of
the parameter value; determine at least one location associated
with a first component to which the parameter value is to be
communicated; communicate the parameter value to the at least one
location; and determine a parameter value refresh policy associated
with the first component.
20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein determining
the parameter value refresh policy associated with the first
component comprises accessing configuration information that
indicates the first component is to be restarted, and wherein the
instructions are further configured to cause the processor device
to cause the first component to restart.
21. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein to determine
the parameter value refresh policy associated with the first
component, the instructions are further configured to cause the
processor device to access configuration information that indicates
the first component and a second component are to be restarted, and
wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the
processor device to: cause the first component to restart; and
cause the second component to restart.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The examples relate generally to the automatic generation of
a parameter value for a component, and the installation of the
parameter value in the component.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is often desirable, or necessary, to generate new
parameter values associated with components. For example, to
increase security, it may be desirable to periodically change a
password that is required to access a database component, or to
obtain a new certificate. In order to change the password, a new
password is generated, and the database component is informed of
the new password. Moreover, any other component that accesses the
database component must be made aware of the new password so that
the database component allows such other components to access the
database component. Thus, in a relatively large distributed system,
hundreds or even thousands of components may require notification
of the new password.
SUMMARY
[0003] The examples facilitate automatic parameter value generation
and installation. Among other advantages, the examples
automatically determine when a trigger has occurred that indicates
a parameter value should be generated. Upon the occurrence of such
a trigger, the examples automatically obtain a parameter value in
accordance with a designated format. The examples then install the
parameter value in the appropriate components and implement a
designated parameter value refresh policy associated with the
components, if appropriate. In some examples, the parameter value
is not presented to a human, eliminating security issues that may
otherwise arise if the parameter value were known.
[0004] In one example, a method of automatic parameter value
generation is provided. The method includes determining, by a
computing device comprising a processor device, that a parameter
value generation trigger associated with a parameter has occurred.
The method further includes obtaining a parameter value in
accordance with a format of the parameter value. The method further
includes determining at least one location associated with a first
component to which the parameter value is to be communicated, and
communicating the parameter value to the at least one location. The
method further includes determining a parameter value refresh
policy associated with the first component.
[0005] In another example, a computing device for automatic
parameter value generation is provided. The computing device
comprises a memory and a processor device coupled to the memory.
The processor device is to determine that a parameter value
generation trigger associated with a parameter has occurred. The
processor device is further to obtain a parameter value in
accordance with a format of the parameter value. The processor
device is further to determine at least one location associated
with a first component to which the parameter value is to be
communicated, and communicate the parameter value to the at least
one location. The processor device is further to determine a
parameter value refresh policy associated with the first
component.
[0006] In another example, a computer program product for automatic
parameter value generation is provided. The computer program
product is stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage
medium and includes instructions configured to cause a processor
device to determine that a parameter value generation trigger
associated with a parameter has occurred. The instructions further
cause the processor device to obtain a parameter value in
accordance with a format of the parameter value. The instructions
further cause the processor device to determine at least one
location associated with a first component to which the parameter
value is to be communicated, and communicate the parameter value to
the at least one location. The instructions further cause the
processor device to determine a parameter value refresh policy
associated with the first component.
[0007] Individuals will appreciate the scope of the disclosure and
realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following
detailed description of the examples in association with the
accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming
a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the
disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment in which
examples may be practiced;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for automatic parameter
value generation according to one example;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the environment
illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one example;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a message flow diagram that illustrates processing
and message flows between a computing device and components to
generate and install a new parameter value according to one
example;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the environment illustrated in
FIG. 3 illustrating in greater detail a parameter record that
corresponds to a parameter according to one example; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computing device according to
one example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The examples set forth below represent the information to
enable individuals to practice the examples and illustrate the best
mode of practicing the examples. Upon reading the following
description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,
individuals will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will
recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed
herein. It should be understood that these concepts and
applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the
accompanying claims.
[0016] Any flowcharts discussed herein are necessarily discussed in
some sequence for purposes of illustration, but unless otherwise
explicitly indicated, the examples are not limited to any
particular sequence of steps. The use herein of ordinals in
conjunction with an element is solely for distinguishing what might
otherwise be similar or identical labels, such as "first component"
and "second component," and does not imply a priority, a type, an
importance, or other attribute, unless otherwise stated herein. As
used herein and in the claims, the articles "a" and "an" in
reference to an element refers to "one or more" of the element
unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0017] It is often desirable, or necessary, to generate new
parameter values associated with components. For example, to
increase security, it may be desirable to periodically change a
password that is required to access a database component. In order
to change the password, a new password is generated, and the
database component is informed of the new password. Moreover, any
other component that accesses the database component must be made
aware of the new password so that the database component allows
such other components to access the database component. Thus, in a
relatively large distributed system, hundreds or even thousands of
components may require notification of the new password.
[0018] Generating and installing the new parameter values in the
appropriate components can be logistically challenging for a number
of reasons. Information that identifies when a new parameter value
should be generated must be continually monitored. Rules regarding
the format of the new parameter value must be maintained and
complied with when generating the new parameter value. Manually
installing the new parameter value in hundreds or thousands of
components can be time consuming and may require specialized
training. Information regarding which components must be restarted
in order to install the new parameter value must be maintained and
followed. Dependencies between components may exist such that it
may be necessary to install the new parameter value in components
in a particular order. Moreover, in some situations, such as with
respect to passwords, it may be desirable that a human not have
access to the new parameter value for security reasons.
[0019] The examples facilitate automatic parameter value generation
and installation. Among other advantages, the examples
automatically determine when a trigger has occurred that indicates
a parameter value should be generated. Upon the occurrence of such
a trigger, the examples automatically obtain a parameter value in
accordance with a designated format. The examples then install the
parameter value in the appropriate components and implement a
designated parameter value refresh policy associated with the
components, if appropriate. In some examples, the parameter value
is not presented to a human, eliminating security issues that may
otherwise arise if the parameter value were known.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment 10 in which
examples may be practiced. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for
automatic parameter value generation according to one example.
FIGS. 1 and 2 will be discussed together. Referring first to FIG.
1, the environment 10 includes a computing device 12 that
implements aspects of the examples. The computing device 12
includes a processor device 14 and a memory 16 to which the
processor device 14 is communicatively coupled.
[0021] A component 18-1 contains a parameter 20-1 that has a
parameter value that is to be changed upon the occurrence of a
parameter value generation trigger 22-1. The parameter 20-1 may
comprise any information, such as a password or the like. Referring
now to FIG. 2, a method for automatic parameter value generation
according to one example will be discussed in conjunction with FIG.
1. The computing device 12 determines that the parameter value
generation trigger 22 associated with the parameter 20-1 has
occurred (FIG. 2, block 100). The parameter value generation
trigger 22-1 may comprise any suitable trigger, such as, by way of
non-limiting example, a time interval, such as one week or one
month. In the latter example, the computing device 12 determines
that the parameter value generation trigger 22 has occurred when
one month has passed since a previous parameter value generation of
the parameter value.
[0022] The computing device 12 obtains a parameter value for the
parameter 20-1 that is in accordance with a format 24-1 of the
parameter 20-1 (FIG. 2, block 102). In one example, the computing
device 12 obtains a parameter value 26 by generating the parameter
value 26 in accordance with the format 24-1. Example mechanisms for
determining the format 24-1 will be discussed below. In another
example, the computing device 12 obtains the parameter value 26 by
requesting the parameter value 26 from a parameter value generating
component, and receiving the parameter value from the parameter
value generating component. The computing device 12 determines at
least one location 28 associated with the component 18-1 to which
the parameter value 26 is to be communicated (FIG. 2, block 104).
For example, the location 28 may comprise a location of the
component 18-1, or may comprise, for example, a location of a file
in which the parameter value 26 is to be stored. In another
example, the location 28 may comprise a reference to an invocable
object.
[0023] The computing device 12 communicates the parameter value 26
to the at least one location 28 (FIG. 2, block 106). For example,
the computing device 12 may send the parameter value 26 to the
component 18-1 via an inter-process communication mechanism, such
as a port, an application programming interface, or the like. In
another example, the computing device 12 may write the parameter
value 26 to a designated file. In yet another example, the
computing device 12 may invoke a reference to an object and pass
the parameter value 26 to the object.
[0024] The computing device 12 determines a parameter value refresh
policy 30-1 associated with the component 18-1 (FIG. 2, block 108).
The parameter value refresh policy 30-1 may indicate, for example,
that the component 18-1 needs to be restarted to install the
parameter value 26 in the component 18-1. Alternatively, the
parameter value refresh policy 30-1 may indicate that no action
need be taken to install the parameter value 26 in the component
18-1. In yet another example, the parameter value refresh policy
30-1 may indicate that a message should be sent to the component
18-1, or that a function or method of the component 18-1 should be
invoked, in order to install the parameter value 26 in the
component 18-1. As will be discussed in greater detail below, in
some examples the parameter value 26 may be installed in a
plurality of components, and the parameter value refresh policy
30-1 may indicate that each of the plurality of components are to
be restarted, or that only certain of the components are to be
restarted. In some examples, the parameter value refresh policy
30-1 may indicate that the components are to be restarted in a
particular order.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the environment
10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to one example. In this example
the component 18-1 is a process that executes on a computing device
32-1. The environment 10 also includes a computing device 32-2 on
which a component 18-2 executes. The environment 10 further
includes a computing device 32-N on which a component 18-N
executes. The components 18-1, 18-2, and 18-N may compose a single
distributed system.
[0026] The component 18-1 includes the parameter 20-1, and the
component 18-2 also includes the parameter 20-1. In this example,
the parameter 20-1 comprises a password. At a particular point in
time, the parameter 20-1 of the component 18-1 may have a parameter
value 26-1, and the parameter 20-1 of the component 18-2 has the
same parameter value 26-1. In operation, for example, the component
18-1 may comprise a database that requires a password from any
component 18 that accesses the component 18-1. The component 18-2
may comprise a process that accesses the component 18-1. Thus,
prior to providing access to the component 18-2, the component 18-1
must receive a correct password from the component 18-2.
[0027] In operation, the component 18-2 passes the parameter value
26-1 stored in the component 18-2 to the component 18-1. The
component 18-1 then determines if the parameter value 26-1 received
from the component 18-2 matches the parameter value 26-1 stored in
the component 18-1. If the parameter values 26-1 match, the
component 18-2 allows the component 18-1 to access the component
18-2. Because the parameter value 26-1 of the component 18-2 must
match the parameter value 26-1 of the component 18-1 in order for
the component 18-2 to access the component 18-1, the parameter
values 26-1, if changed, should be changed in conjunction with one
another. While for purposes of illustration only the component 18-2
is illustrated as accessing the component 18-1, in practice, tens,
hundreds, or thousands of components may access the component 18-1,
and thus changing the parameter value of the parameter 20-1 should
be done in conjunction with the tens, hundreds, or thousands of
other components.
[0028] A component 18-N has an associated parameter 20-N that is
maintained in a file 34 stored in a storage device 36.
[0029] The computing device 12 includes configuration information
38. The configuration information 38 includes a plurality of
parameter records 40-1-40-N (generally, parameter records 40). Each
parameter record 40 corresponds to a parameter 20, and contains
information suitable for generating a new parameter value for the
corresponding parameter 20, and installing the new parameter value
in one or more components 18. In one example, the parameter records
40 may be generated manually wherein the information is entered by
a human being and stored on a storage device accessible by the
computing device 12.
[0030] As an example, the parameter record 40-1 corresponds to the
parameter 20-1 of the components 18-1, 18-2. The parameter record
40-1 includes the parameter value generation trigger 22-1 that
identifies when the parameter value of the parameter 20-1 is to be
changed. In this example, the parameter value generation trigger
22-1 indicates that the parameter value of the parameter 20-1 is to
be changed monthly. The parameter record 40-1 also includes the
format 24-1 that identifies a format of the parameter value. In
this example, the format 24-1 includes a parameter value length
field 42 that indicates the parameter value should have a parameter
value length between 8 and 12 bytes long. The format 24-1 also
includes a parameter value syntax field 44 that identifies a
parameter value syntax with which the parameter value should
comport. In this example, the parameter value syntax field 44
indicates that the parameter value should comprise a number
followed by one or more alphabetic characters, followed by another
number.
[0031] The parameter record 40-1 includes a location identifier
(ID) 46-1 that identifies at least one location associated with a
component 18 to which the parameter value is to be communicated. In
this example, the location ID 46-1 identifies two locations, the
component 18-1 and the component 18-2, to which the parameter value
is to be communicated. The parameter value refresh policy 30-1
indicates that a restart is required to install the parameter value
in the components 18-1 and 18-2. The parameter value refresh policy
30-1 also indicates that the components 18-1 and 18-2 should be
restarted in a particular order. Specifically, the parameter value
refresh policy 30-1 indicates that the component 18-1 should first
be restarted, and then subsequently the component 18-2 should be
restarted.
[0032] In some examples, a component of the computing device 12,
such as a controller 50, may execute on the computing device 12 to
implement at least some of the functionality discussed herein.
Because the controller 50 is a component of the computing device
12, functionality implemented by the controller 50 may be
attributed to the computing device 12 generally. Moreover, in
examples where the controller 50 comprises software instructions
that program the processor device 14 to carry out functionality
discussed herein, functionality implemented by the controller 50
may be attributed herein to the processor device 14.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a message flow diagram that illustrates processing
and message flows between the computing device 12 and the
components 18-1, 18-2 to generate and install a new parameter value
according to one example. FIG. 4 will be discussed in conjunction
with FIG. 3. Initially, the computing device 12 determines that the
parameter value generation trigger 22-1 has occurred (FIG. 4, step
200). In this example, the computing device 12 determines that the
parameter value generation trigger 22-1 has occurred by determining
that a period of time equal to one month has elapsed since a last
time the parameter value associated with the parameter 20-1 was
changed. In one example, the computing device 12 stores a timestamp
that identifies a date and time of a previous generation of the
parameter value associated with the parameter 20-1, and continually
monitors a current day and time to determine when one month has
elapsed since the day and time identified by the timestamp.
[0034] While the parameter value generation trigger 22-1 identifies
an interval of time as the trigger, the examples are not limited to
parameter value generation triggers that comprise periods of time.
In one example, a parameter value generation trigger comprises a
request from a component to generate a parameter value. For
example, the component 18-1 may be programmed to periodically
initiate a request to the computing device 12 to change the
parameter value associated with the parameter 20-1. In another
example, the computing device 12 may determine that a component 18
has been updated. The determination that the component 18 has been
updated may comprise a parameter value generation trigger that
causes the computing device 12 to generate a parameter value.
[0035] The computing device 12 generates a new parameter value in
accordance with the format 24-1 (FIG. 4, step 202). In this
example, the computing device 12 generates a parameter value that
has a length between 8 and 12 bytes in accordance with the
parameter value length field 42. In addition, the computing device
12 generates a parameter value that comprises one or more numbers
concatenated to one or more alphabetic characters concatenated to
one or more additional numbers in accordance with the parameter
value syntax. As an example, the computing device 12 may generate a
first random or pseudo-random three digit number, a random or
pseudo-random three character alphabetic string, and a second
random or pseudo-random three digit number, and concatenate the
first three digit number, the three character alphabetic string,
and the second three digit number to generate the new parameter
value.
[0036] In other examples, the computing device 12 obtains the
parameter value in accordance with the format 24-1 of the parameter
value from a parameter value generating component. For example, the
parameter may comprise a certificate that is generated by the
parameter value generating component in accordance with a
particular certificate format. The computing device 12 requests a
new certificate from the parameter value generating component. The
parameter value generating component generates a new certificate in
accordance with a certificate format and sends the new certificate
to the computing device 12.
[0037] The computing device 12 accesses the location ID 46-1 and
determines that the new parameter value is to be communicated to
the component 18-1 and the component 18-2 (FIG. 4, step 204). The
computing device 12 accesses the parameter value refresh policy
30-1 of the parameter record 40-1 and determines that the component
18-1 and the component 18-2 are to be restarted, and that the
component 18-1 is to be restarted first (FIG. 4, step 206). The
computing device 12 sends the new parameter value to the component
18-1 (FIG. 4, step 208). The computing device 12 sends the
component 18-1 a restart command (FIG. 4, step 210). The component
18-1 restarts, and installs the new parameter value (FIG. 4, step
212).
[0038] The computing device 12 sends the new parameter value to the
component 18-2 (FIG. 4, step 214). The computing device 12 sends
the component 18-2 a restart command (FIG. 4, step 216). The
component 18-1 restarts and installs the new parameter value (FIG.
4, step 218).
[0039] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the environment 10 illustrating
the parameter record 40-N that corresponds to the parameter 20-N in
greater detail. The parameter record 40-N includes a parameter
value generation trigger 22-N that indicates a new parameter value
for the parameter 20-N should be generated when the component 18-N
is updated. A format 24-N includes a parameter value length field
52 that indicates the parameter value should have a parameter value
length of six bytes. The format 24-N also includes a parameter
value syntax field 54 that identifies a parameter value syntax with
which the parameter value should comport. In this example, the
parameter value syntax field 54 indicates that the parameter value
should comprise a four digit number followed by two special
characters selected from a predetermined set 56 of special
characters.
[0040] A location ID 46-N indicates that the new parameter value is
to be stored in the file 34. A parameter value refresh policy 48-N
indicates that the component 18-N is to be restarted after the new
parameter value is stored in the file 34.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the computing device 12
suitable for implementing examples. The computing device 12 may
comprise any computing or electronic device capable of including
firmware, hardware, and/or executing software instructions to
implement the functionality described herein, such as a computer
server, a desktop computing device, a laptop computing device or
the like. The computing device 12 includes the processor device 14,
the memory 16, and a system bus 58. The system bus 58 provides an
interface for system components including, but not limited to, the
memory 16 and the processor device 14. The processor device 14 can
be any commercially available or proprietary processor.
[0042] The system bus 58 may be any of several types of bus
structures that may further interconnect to a memory bus (with or
without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus
using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The memory 16 may include non-volatile memory 60 (e.g., read-only
memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM),
etc.), and volatile memory 62 (e.g., random-access memory (RAM)). A
basic input/output system (BIOS) 64 may be stored in the
non-volatile memory 60 and can include the basic routines that help
to transfer information between elements within the computing
device 12. The volatile memory 62 may also include a high-speed
RAM, such as static RAM, for caching data.
[0043] The computing device 12 may further include or be coupled to
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as a storage
device 66, which may comprise, for example, an internal or external
hard disk drive (HDD) (e.g., enhanced integrated drive electronics
(EIDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)), HDD (e.g.,
EIDE or SATA) for storage, flash memory, or the like. The storage
device 66 and other drives associated with computer-readable media
and computer-usable media may provide non-volatile storage of data,
data structures, computer-executable instructions, and the like.
Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to
an HDD, it should be appreciated that other types of media that are
readable by a computer, such as Zip disks, magnetic cassettes,
flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, may also be used in
the operating environment, and, further, that any such media may
contain computer-executable instructions for performing novel
methods of the disclosed examples.
[0044] A number of processes can be stored in the storage device 66
and in the volatile memory 62, including an operating system 68 and
one or more components, such as the controller 50, which may
implement the functionality described herein in whole or in part.
It is to be appreciated that the examples can be implemented with
various commercially available operating systems 68 or combinations
of operating systems 68.
[0045] All or a portion of the examples may be implemented as a
computer program product stored on a transitory or non-transitory
computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium, such as the
storage device 66, which includes complex programming instructions,
such as complex computer-readable program code, to cause the
processor device 14 to carry out the steps described herein. Thus,
the computer-readable program code can comprise software
instructions for implementing the functionality of the examples
described herein when executed on the processor device 14.
[0046] An operator may also be able to enter one or more
configuration commands or provide the configuration information 38
through a keyboard (not illustrated), a pointing device such as a
mouse (not illustrated), or a touch-sensitive surface such as a
display device 70. The computing device 12 may also include a
communications interface 72 suitable for communicating with a
network as appropriate or desired.
[0047] Individuals will recognize improvements and modifications to
the preferred examples of the disclosure. All such improvements and
modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts
disclosed herein and the claims that follow.
* * * * *